One of the country’s most influential intermediate appellate court judges, a young lawyer focusing on issues tackling minorities, and a partner representing disabled Canadian veterans in a successful class action have received a new accolade. After more than 19,000 votes from legal community members were cast for 174 nominees, Canadian Lawyer magazine selected its 2020 list of the Top 25 Most Influential in the justice system and legal profession in Canada. 

Here’s what Canadian Lawyer has to say about these influential Queen’s Law alumni. 

David Stratas, Law’84, LLD’12 

Justice, Federal Court of Appeal, Ottawa
Instructor, Queen’s Law, Kingston
Category: Government/Non-Profits/Associations

David Stratas is regarded as one of the most influential judges sitting on an intermediate appellate court in Canada. His impact on administrative law through his judicial decisions, publications and conferences cannot be doubted. Back in 2017, he wrote an article titled “The Canadian Law of Judicial Review: A Plea for Doctrinal Coherence and Consistency,” wherein he questioned the decision in Dunsmuir v. New Brunswick, 2008 SCC 9 and called attention to the benefits of employing doctrinal clarity, unity and simplicity in judicial review. In 2019, he published two additional online articles, which were “A Decade of Dunsmuir: Please No More” and “Looking Past Dunsmuir: Beginning Afresh.” The latter was particularly impactful, even influencing the discussion of the Supreme Court of Canada in Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v. Vavilov, 2019 SCC 65. The Vavilov judgment went on to cite 12 decisions authored by Stratas. He also teaches administrative law, and his annual legal writing course at the Queen’s University Faculty of Law is considered the most popular course there.

Aaron Bains, Law’14 

Associate, Aird & Berlis LLP, Toronto
Category: Young Influencers

Aaron Bains, as president of the South Asian Bar Association-Toronto, spends a good amount of time promoting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Bains focuses on issues impacting minorities, such as judicial diversity and discriminatory legislation and workplace practices. He regularly meets with stakeholders in the provincial and federal government and in the judiciary to discuss crucial issues affecting the justice system. With his support, the SABA has increased its presence across Canada, establishing additional chapters in Calgary and Edmonton. He assisted in forming a partnership with the Queen’s University Innovation Centre, where he regularly gives lectures. He also plays an important role in the program advisory committee for Ryerson University’s Faculty of Law. He is a member of the capital markets and venture finance groups of Aird & Berlis, where he works to fully understand his clients’ needs so that he can help them properly structure their transactions.

Malcolm Ruby, Law’84 

Partner, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, Toronto
Category: Business 

Malcolm Ruby’s practice areas include class actions, product liability and trans-border disputes. In Toth v. Canada, 2019 FC 125, Ruby headed Gowling WLG’s team that acted on behalf of a class of disabled Canadian veterans. He assisted in reaching a final settlement agreement that awarded members of the class compensation for harm caused by discriminatory policies and practices. This nationally certified class proceeding was notable because the firm liaised with the Canada Revenue Agency to prevent income tax deductions from the settlement or the imposition of reporting requirements. He also served as lead counsel in Canada (Attorney General) v. Galderma Canada Inc., 2019 FCA 196, which was named by Managing Intellectual Property America as its “Impact Case of the Year.” Ruby has represented prominent clients such as the U.S. government, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Ontario Securities Commission, but he has also gone out of his way to act on behalf of vulnerable groups.

Queen’s Law congratulates this year’s honorees!